Published: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.

Following a massive uproar as he entered the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Friday for the kickoff of the Krewe of Hercules parade, former Gov. Edwin Edwards made a joke about receiving the key to the city.

“For eight years I was looking for a key,” Edwards said, referring to his time in prison after being convicted on racketeering, fraud and other charges related to the rigging of riverboat casino licenses. “But I’m glad I got this one.”

Screams came from the crowd as the parade’s grand marshal spoke.

“I love you governor,” one onlooker said.

“Looking good, governor” came next.

“Governor, can I have your autograph?” followed.

Edwards said he enjoyed being back in Houma.

“I’m looking forward to just having fun tonight and seeing old friends, meeting people and throwing them beads,” Edwards said before taking the stage.

After showering gifts on Edwards and NFL player Brandon Jacobs, who was also present, Hercules parade captain S.P. LaRussa handed the former governor the microphone and asked him to say a few words.

“Want to hear my confession?” Edwards asked. “Well we don’t have time for that. I’m only here for four days.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and the jokes kept coming when state Sen. Norby Chabert joined Edwards, his godfather, on stage.

“I’ve made many mistakes in my life. I’ve had a lot of failures but none as big as this,” Edwards said, laughing as he pointed to Chabert.

Edwards said Terrebonne Parish will always hold a special place in his heart.

“Some of my best friends, political and personal, have come from here,” he said. “If it were not for the people of this area, I would not have been elected in 1971.”

One of those friends was Sen. Leonard J. Chabert, Norby’s father, who died in September 1991.

“One day when I was drunk, he (Leonard Chabert) made me sign the paper. Next thing I knew when I woke up, I had a godson,” Edwards joked. “I know he’s looking down, and he knows we’re here.”

Edwards and his third wife, Trina, said they’re looking forward to the rest of their Terrebonne Carnival experience. After this, it’s back to filming their new A&E Network reality show “The Governor’s Wife.”

The show will follow the couple and allow viewers to get to know them as the “fun, positive” couple they are, they said.

Viewers will also follow the Edwards’ quest to add a baby of their own to their take on a modern family, WWL-TV reported Jan. 4.

Along those lines and with Valentine’s Day approaching, Edwards offered advice to men on how to make the holiday fun and romantic and make a relationship successful.

“Get a good-looking woman to be your wife and to take care of you. Be nice to her,” he said. “Make her happy, and that makes for a happy Valentine’s year, not just a happy Valentine’s Day.”

Hundreds of people attended the kickoff that LaRussa called “the biggest party in the tri-parish area.”

In addition to Edwards, Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet presented the key to the city to Jacobs.

Jacobs was born in Houma and is a native of Napoleonville. The eight-year NFL running back played for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers before becoming a free agent. He was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams with the Giants.

Edwards helped close the kickoff by asking the crowd in French if anyone spoke the language.

After a loud, resounding “yeah” from the crowd, he responded, “Laissez les bons temps rouler, cher,” the Cajun French expression for “let the good times roll, friend.”

Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.

<p>Following a massive uproar as he entered the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Friday for the kickoff of the Krewe of Hercules parade, former Gov. Edwin Edwards made a joke about receiving the key to the city.</p><p>“For eight years I was looking for a key,” Edwards said, referring to his time in prison after being convicted on racketeering, fraud and other charges related to the rigging of riverboat casino licenses. “But I'm glad I got this one.”</p><p>Screams came from the crowd as the parade's grand marshal spoke. </p><p>“I love you governor,” one onlooker said. </p><p>“Looking good, governor” came next.</p><p>“Governor, can I have your autograph?” followed. </p><p>Edwards said he enjoyed being back in Houma. </p><p>“I'm looking forward to just having fun tonight and seeing old friends, meeting people and throwing them beads,” Edwards said before taking the stage.</p><p>After showering gifts on Edwards and NFL player Brandon Jacobs, who was also present, Hercules parade captain S.P. LaRussa handed the former governor the microphone and asked him to say a few words. </p><p>“Want to hear my confession?” Edwards asked. “Well we don't have time for that. I'm only here for four days.”</p><p>The crowd erupted in laughter, and the jokes kept coming when state Sen. Norby Chabert joined Edwards, his godfather, on stage. </p><p>“I've made many mistakes in my life. I've had a lot of failures but none as big as this,” Edwards said, laughing as he pointed to Chabert. </p><p>Edwards said Terrebonne Parish will always hold a special place in his heart.</p><p>“Some of my best friends, political and personal, have come from here,” he said. “If it were not for the people of this area, I would not have been elected in 1971.”</p><p>One of those friends was Sen. Leonard J. Chabert, Norby's father, who died in September 1991.</p><p>“One day when I was drunk, he (Leonard Chabert) made me sign the paper. Next thing I knew when I woke up, I had a godson,” Edwards joked. “I know he's looking down, and he knows we're here.” </p><p>Edwards and his third wife, Trina, said they're looking forward to the rest of their Terrebonne Carnival experience. After this, it's back to filming their new A&E Network reality show “The Governor's Wife.” </p><p>The show will follow the couple and allow viewers to get to know them as the “fun, positive” couple they are, they said. </p><p>Viewers will also follow the Edwards' quest to add a baby of their own to their take on a modern family, WWL-TV reported Jan. 4. </p><p>Along those lines and with Valentine's Day approaching, Edwards offered advice to men on how to make the holiday fun and romantic and make a relationship successful. </p><p>“Get a good-looking woman to be your wife and to take care of you. Be nice to her,” he said. “Make her happy, and that makes for a happy Valentine's year, not just a happy Valentine's Day.” </p><p>Hundreds of people attended the kickoff that LaRussa called “the biggest party in the tri-parish area.” </p><p>In addition to Edwards, Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet presented the key to the city to Jacobs.</p><p>Jacobs was born in Houma and is a native of Napoleonville. The eight-year NFL running back played for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers before becoming a free agent. He was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams with the Giants. </p><p>Edwards helped close the kickoff by asking the crowd in French if anyone spoke the language. </p><p>After a loud, resounding “yeah” from the crowd, he responded, “Laissez les bons temps rouler, cher,” the Cajun French expression for “let the good times roll, friend.” </p><p>Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.</p>